- Aug 24, 2011
- 27,539
- 11,970
I think Salesforce just laid off 200 people in Customer Support roles as well. Lots of big companies are transitioning away from human operators for the much cheaper and much shittier automated support systems.
Xbox acquires Activision Blizzard
- Thread starter Dolemite
- Start date
It's ironic because people have no reservations about saving their own money (for example, by cancelling cable/streaming services), but think that it's terrible if a major company makes similar cuts in its own self interest.
Beau Knows
Registered User
I feel like there might be a slight difference between cancelling your Netflix account, and buying up other companies and then immediately firing thousands of people who worked there.
syz
[1, 5, 6, 14]
- Jul 13, 2007
- 29,359
- 13,267
Particularly in that these places are nonetheless often still reporting record revenues. They aren't doing it to save money, they're doing it to make more money (for execs and shareholders).
Microsoft just became the 2nd ever "trillion dollar company." Better cancel that Netflix subscription, sounds like times are real tough over there.
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Jussi
Registered User
It's pretty much standard operating after mergers on every business. A company has acquired jobs in positions that they've already filled and don't need those people anymore, such as executives.
Beau Knows
Registered User
Which is one of many reasons that I think people cheering for this merger was weird. It's bad for consumers and bad for the employees.
The point of acquisitions and layoffs is to try to make the company stronger in the long run. Jobs lost now should turn into jobs gained later. Will this acquisition end up being "bad for employees" if Microsoft turns around and creates more new jobs? As mentioned before, people only ever see and pay attention to the layoffs and rarely learn or care about the job creations. For example, Microsoft added a record 40,000 employees in fiscal year 2022, yet are being criticized here for cutting 1,900.
Beau Knows
Registered User
Even if that ended up happening, it still might be bad for them in the long run. As these huge companies continue buy each other out, there's less competition for them when it comes to offering a competitive salary/benefits/working conditions/etc.
A gaming industry with many independent publishers/developers is probably going to be a better one for employees than one where a handful of mega corporations control the vast majority of the market.
Jussi
Registered User
Eh, as a Game Pass subscriber it's anything but bad. And way more Activision employees are pleased to be staying and not working for Bobby Kotick. So that's a no on both.
The cost of developing has already made it harder for smaller publishers and developers.
People will turn a blind eye to those stats but point out the 1900 people that got cut without understanding the decisions that go into it. Easy for us to sit on the outside and say “they’re such bad company and people”.
Jussi
Registered User
Introducing Johanna Faries as the new President of Blizzard Entertainment
Today, the following email was delivered to all Blizzard employees by Johanna Faries, the new President of Blizzard Entertainment...
news.blizzard.com
syz
[1, 5, 6, 14]
- Jul 13, 2007
- 29,359
- 13,267
Seems awkward. Blizzard fought to keep Activision people away for years.Introducing Johanna Faries as the new President of Blizzard Entertainment
Today, the following email was delivered to all Blizzard employees by Johanna Faries, the new President of Blizzard Entertainment...
Khelandros
Registered User
- Feb 12, 2019
- 4,000
- 4,474
Feds Say Activision Layoffs Violate Promises Microsoft Made in Merger Deal
The federal regulator said the layoffs are inconsistent with Microsoft’s assertions that both companies would operate separately after the merger.
gizmodo.com
Jussi
Registered User
Feds Say Activision Layoffs Violate Promises Microsoft Made in Merger Deal
The federal regulator said the layoffs are inconsistent with Microsoft’s assertions that both companies would operate separately after the merger.
Also confirms what some speculated that some jobs were cut due to overlapping.
